Dear Howard University Community,

March 1 marked the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, a sacred time for the Muslim community. This religious observation includes daily fasting from dawn until sunset.

Fasting during the holy month is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Each night of Ramadan, observers break their fast at sundown with a prayer and a meal called an “iftar". The end of Ramadan is traditionally celebrated with an event called Eid al-Fitr, which may include family gatherings, prayer in mosques, a special meal, and gift exchanges.

Many members of our University community will observe Ramadan, which concludes tentatively on Saturday, March 29, depending upon the sighting of the moon. For more information about Ramadan, please contact the Office of the Dean of the Chapel at chapel@howard.edu.

Thank you for your consideration of Ramadan and its observance.

In Truth and Service, 

Howard University Interfaith Advisory Board

Bernard L. Richardson, Ph.D., Dean of the Chapel, Chair  

Zainab Alwani, Ph.D., School of Divinity  

Aneesah Lawrence, Student Representative, Muslim Students Association  

Bradford Grant, M.Arch., R.A., College of Engineering and Architecture  

Donna Grant-Mills, RDH, M.Ed., DDS, College of Dentistry  

Altaf Husain, Ph.D., School of Social Work  

Fatimah Jackson, Ph.D., College of Arts & Sciences  

Kanika A.M. Jones, Ph.D., School of Business  

Molly Levine, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences  

Bahiyyah Muhammad, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences  

Nisa Muhammad, D.Min., Office of the Dean of the Chapel  

Kwesi Kwakye-Nuako, Ph.D., School of Divinity  

Jael Johnson, Student Representative, Howard University Chapel Assistants 

Ujjawal Shah, Student Representative, Howard University Nepalese Students Association